Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The government and society cannot think of themselves as separate. What one group does affect others, and what one does will eventually affect the other. We must act for each other, not only ourselves. Youth need people in the community who can meet them at their level but also hold them accountable. They need people who are willing to educate themselves on juvenile laws and the justice system so that they can use that knowledge not only to teach but advocate for the youth in our community to make changes. If we can come together to provide programs such as anti-crime programs, job opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and education programs it can help increase positive youth engagement and decrease the violence rate. Throughout my teenage years, I have seen many of my friends spend most of their childhood incarcerated due to being a participant in youth violence. I always ask them, “Why do you choose to live your life this way?” The most common response I have gotten was “Nobody cares or understands” or “It’s too late, I’m too deep in.” The system fails minorities. Juvenile minorities need more leaders who will provide them with more resources mentally, psychically, and emotionally. Our system needs more leaders who believe in reform, this has encouraged me to want to be a juvenile counselor who runs a juvenile anti-crime program. As the justice system continues to fail and overlook minorities, studying Criminology at Howard will help me propose a strong solution to stop youth violence. Howard's Criminology program will provide me with the utmost education that will benefit me in becoming a strong advocate for turning around the lives of troubled juveniles. Howard’s courses will be the ground steps to propose a solution while my anti-crime program will correct the issue. Running an anti-crime program as a juvenile counselor will ensure that I have the skill level to offer assistance, support, and direction to youths and their families. Counselors give life guidance by teaching youth how to deal with issues, alter negative thought patterns and actions, and focus their energy more positively. The challenge is that so many community members work against each other instead of coming together. Community leaders and the justice system can strengthen their collaboration by using respect, accountability, communication, healing, and empathy (understanding) in a criminal justice process through the victim, defendant, and families. This has shaped me to be one, but not move as one; move as a whole.

Throughout my teenage years, I have seen my brother being driven to the street life which led him to be “raised” by the system. I always ask him, “Why do you choose to live your life this way?” The most common response I have gotten was “Nobody cares or understands” or “It’s too late, I’m too deep in.” Although my brother isn’t my biological father, the older I got he was the closest thing I had as a father. Seeing my brother lose his freedom to the streets has affected me mentally and physically. As a child I have always been interested in the legal field so shows such as 60 Days In and Jailbirds sparked my interest. Watching these shows made me worry about my brother, these shows demonstrated that jails aren’t safe at all! Until it was then my doctor recommended that I not watch these types of shows because it was part of triggering and causing my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Institutes of Health(.gov), “Children with a parent in prison may experience low self-esteem, depression, disturbed sleeping patterns and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. In a North American study, separation from a parent through imprisonment was found to be more detrimental to a child's well-being than divorce or the death of a parent.” My brother’s life of imprisonment started at a young age. The system fails minorities. Juvenile minorities need more leaders who will provide them with more resources mentally, psychically, and emotionally. Our system needs more leaders who believe in reform, this has encouraged me to want to be a juvenile counselor. A juvenile counselor offers assistance, support, and direction to youths and their families. Counselors give life guidance by teaching youth how to deal with issues, alter negative thought patterns and actions, and focus their energy more positively. Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The government and society cannot think of themselves as separate. What one group does affect others, and what one does will eventually affect the other. We must act for each other, not only ourselves. Youth need people in the community who can meet them at their level but also hold them accountable. They need people who are willing to educate themselves on juvenile laws and the justice system so that they can use that knowledge not only to teach but advocate for the youth in our community to make changes. We can come together to provide programs such as anti-crime programs, job opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and education programs which can help increase positive youth engagement and decrease the crime rate. The challenge is that so many community members work against each other instead of coming together. This has shaped me to be one but not move as one and to move as a whole. Community leaders and the justice system can strengthen their collaboration by using respect, accountability, communication, healing, and empathy (understanding) in a criminal justice process through the victim, defendant, and families.